The Shepherd’s Treasure

Let us begin the session by having a look at some beautiful, dazzling and alluring pictures.

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Well, as we all can see and understand these are few pictures of what we call as

‘Treasure’. As we all know that the word treasure means something valuable, special

or important.

The pictures shown in the previous slide depict material treasure i. e gold, silver,

precious jewels etc. Can we, as human beings possess something that is not tangible

or materialistic, yet can be called as our treasure? Definitely yes, these valuable

possessions of ours, that can be called as ‘treasure’ are the moral qualities and ethical

values that make us a better human being. Some of which are honesty, kindness,

humility and politeness.

The story, ‘The Shepherd’s Treasure’ reveals how these qualities enable a person to

get recognised and become successful in life.

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“Let’s begin the story.................

The Shepherd’s Treasure.

an Iranian folktale.

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Message of the story...............

The message in the story is that wisdom,

humility and honesty are attributes to great

ethical behaviour and a person who

possesses them is bound to be recognized

for them in life, sooner or later.

An Iranian Folktale………….The story ‘The Shepherd’s Treasure’ is a n Iranian folktale. Storytelling has an important presence in

Iranian culture. In classical Iran, minstrels performed for their audiences at royal courts and in public

theaters. A minstrel was referred to by the Parthian as gōsān in Parthian, and by

the Sasanians as huniyāgar in Middle Persian.

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Mulla Nasruddin

•Once there lived a poor and illiterate shepherd in a village in Iran. He hadn’t been to school because

there were very few schools those days. However he was very intelligent and full of wisdom.

• He was known for his helpful and friendly nature. Many people came to him for advice .

• His popularity reached up to the king and the now the king was very eager to meet this wise

shepherd.

The shepherd’s fame in the village……….

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The king’s test…………..• The king disguised himself as a shepherd and went to

the cave of the wise shepherd on a mule.

• As expected, the shepherd welcomed the guest and

gave his piece of food to him.

• The king spent the night with the shepherd and

decided to leave the next day.

• Next morning when the king was about to leave, he

thanked the shepherd for his hospitality. To his surprise,

the shepherd looked straight into the eyes of his

traveler and addressed him as ‘Your majesty’.

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•The king, astonished by the shepherd’s wisdom and

hospitality appointed the shepherd as the governor of

one of the districts.

• Even after becoming a governor he remained as

humble and polite as earlier.

• Soon he became famous in the district for his

wisdom, sympathy, and goodness.

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Jealousy of the governors of other districts……..

• The fame of the shepherd made the governors of other districts jealous and they conspired

against him.

• They frequently complained about his iron chest.

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• The king usually ignored the jealous governor’s fake lore, but it was

now known that the shepherd carries an iron box.

• He summoned the shepherd to the palace.

• The king asked the shepherd to explain why he always carried an

iron chest with him.

Shepherd’s treasure in the iron chest…….• When the iron chest was opened, it was found that

the chest did not contain any silver, gold and

diamond but an old blanket.

• The shepherd regarded this blanket as his oldest

friend.

• The jealous governors were embarrassed by his

wise reply.

• The king made the Shepherd the governor of a

district bigger than before as he was the wisest and

the humblest man in the entire kingdom.

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Activity

Discuss and debate :

A person's pride will humiliate him but a humble spirit gains

honor.

You tube link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w3Vfgys1r0

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Asset Questions:

1. “This my dear is my only treasure.” Who said this line?

a. Shepherd

b. King

c. Jealous governor

2. Choose the sentence which is grammatically correct:

a. The king was greatly impressed by the shepherd’s hospitality and wise conversation.

b. The king was greatly impressed by the shepherds hospitality and wise conversation.

c. The king was greatly impressed by the shepherd hospitality, wise conversation.15

3. Find the synonym of ‘bewilderment’ from the text

a. mockingly

b. honoured

c. astonishment

4. “He is very dishonest, and keeps for himself a part of the money that he collects as tax from the

people.” What does this statement tell us about the governors in the king’s court?

a. They were dishonest

b. They grew terribly jealous

c. Both a & b.

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Assignment

I. Answer the following in about 30-40 words:

1. The King rewarded the shepherd twice. How and why?

2. Why did the shepherd always carry his old blanket with him?

II. Answer the following in about 80-100 words:

Write the character sketch of the shepherd. What qualities pleased the King?

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Thanks!